The Peak District is sometimes called the [[Derbyshire]] Peak District, but the area also covers parts of [[Greater Manchester]], [[Staffordshire]], [[Cheshire]], [[West Yorkshire]], and [[South Yorkshire]].

The Peak District is sometimes called the [[Derbyshire]] Peak District, but the area also covers parts of [[Greater Manchester]], [[Staffordshire]], [[Cheshire]], [[West Yorkshire]], and [[South Yorkshire]].

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The central and most rural area of the Peaks falls within the Peak District National Park, but the boundaries are not prominent (marked by roadside signs, but no barriers) and are irrelevant to most visitors: many well-known Peak villages and towns (e.g. Glossop, Buxton, Hayfield) are outside the Park. This was England's first national park and is still the most visited, largely because of its accessible location within reach of the large cities of [[Manchester]] and [[Sheffield]], in the Northwest, and Yorkshire. The Peak District National Park Authority provides public facilities (car parks, lavatories, visitor centres) and works to maintain the rural nature of the Park, without turning it into an open-air museum; however, most land is still owned by the traditional landlords, and (although public access is very good - see below) contains working farms and towns.

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The central and most rural area of the Peaks falls within the Peak District National Park, but the boundaries are not prominent (marked by roadside signs, but no barriers) and are irrelevant to most visitors: many well-known Peak villages and towns (e.g. Glossop, Buxton, Hayfield) are outside the Park. This was England's first national park and is still the most visited, largely because of its accessible location within reach of the large cities of [[Manchester]] and [[Leeds]] & [[Sheffield]], in the Northwest, and Yorkshire. The Peak District National Park Authority provides public facilities (car parks, lavatories, visitor centres) and works to maintain the rural nature of the Park, without turning it into an open-air museum; however, most land is still owned by the traditional landlords, and (although public access is very good - see below) contains working farms and towns.

===History===

===History===

Revision as of 20:52, 8 July 2009

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"Peak Distict" is often used as shorthand for the Peak District National Park, a smaller area with defined boundaries and some special protection. The name of the district is thought to have come from an ancient tribe once resident in the area and the hills and moors of the area, although spectacular in their own way, are not classic "mountain peaks" as might be imagined from the name.

Understand

The central and most rural area of the Peaks falls within the Peak District National Park, but the boundaries are not prominent (marked by roadside signs, but no barriers) and are irrelevant to most visitors: many well-known Peak villages and towns (e.g. Glossop, Buxton, Hayfield) are outside the Park. This was England's first national park and is still the most visited, largely because of its accessible location within reach of the large cities of Manchester and Leeds & Sheffield, in the Northwest, and Yorkshire. The Peak District National Park Authority provides public facilities (car parks, lavatories, visitor centres) and works to maintain the rural nature of the Park, without turning it into an open-air museum; however, most land is still owned by the traditional landlords, and (although public access is very good - see below) contains working farms and towns.

History

Landscape

The Peak District is mountainous. However, many hills are steep, with a few summits sufficiently prominent to warrant the description "peak". The name is a little obscure, but many sources including the National Park Authority's web site [2] refer to a local 7th-century Anglian tribe, the Peacsaetna ("Peak Dwellers").

The Peak District is traditionally split into two contrasting areas, essentially defined by their geology. The White Peak (Derbyshire Dales) is a limestone plateau of green fields with a rolling hills and many incised dales (areas around Ashbourne, Dovedale, Matlock, Bakewell, Longnor). The Dark Peak (or High Peak) is a series of higher, wilder and boggier gritstone plateaux (moorlands) and edges (areas north of Castleton and Hathersage).

High Peak and Derbyshire Dales are also names of local authority districts of Derbyshire.

Flora and fauna

The limestone dales of the White Peak are nationally famous for rare flora, including orchids (in flower spring and early summer) and the rare Jacob's Ladder.

The peaty gritstone moors of the Dark Peak support a more limited flora (largely heather, bilberry and sphagnum moss) and a specialist fauna. Heather moorland in the Dark Peak is maintained for the commercial shooting of Red Grouse (a subspecies of the Willow Grouse unique to the British Isles, which differs from its counterpart on the European mainland by not having a white winter plumage). Other specialist moorland bird species include Ring Ouzel, Golden Plover and Curlew. Mountain Hares were introduced to the Dark Peak in the 19th century and still remain on Bleaklow and Kinder Scout. A feral colony of Wallabies that survived for many years in the Roaches area of the Staffordshire Peak is probably now extinct, as is a remnant population of Black Grouse (though a reintroduction scheme is currently being attempted elsewhere in the Peak District).

Climate

The High Peak in particular can experience severe winter weather and walkers need to be suitably equipped because it is really cold. Cross-Pennine road routes (particularly the Manchester to SheffieldSnake and Woodhead passes) are quickly blocked by snow in winter weather.

Get in

There are several main roads crossing the Peak District, but even these (let alone the myriad smaller roads) can get very crowded on fine-weather weekends.

There are coach (long-distance bus) services to the main towns (Buxton, Bakewell, Matlock).

The bus services are better than most rural areas of England (there tend to be MORE buses on Sunday). The towns and bigger villages have a good daytime service from the nearest big towns and cities, and some buses to most of their nearest villages.

Fees/permits

Entry to the National Park is free. Most car parks charge a fee (roadside parking is difficult on some roads), and country houses (whether private, or owned by the National Trust) charge admission.

However:

The National Park is not owned by the state (it is basically an area with more stringent planning requirements).

The Peak District is criss-crossed by official footpaths which are free to walk, and bridlepaths which are also open to riders and cyclists. These are moderately well-signposted where they meet roads, but are easier to follow with an Ordnance Survey map.

Many of the wilder areas are designated Access Land, where access on foot is permitted free of charge (even off the footpaths, but subject to certain conditions and occasional closures).

Many popular areas are owned by the National Trust, who usually grant generous access to walkers (similar to, and usually designated as, Access Land).

The Chatsworth Estate allows similar generous access to walkers.

Get around

See

Bakewell (pretty riverside town and home of the famous Bakewell Pudding)

Keen walkers should invest in the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 Explorer sheets OL1 ("The Peak District – Dark Peak area") and/or OL24 ("The Peak District – White Peak area"). Between them these two sheets cover most of the National Park area and show public rights-of-way and Access Land (of which there is much in the Dark Peak). Most outdoor shops stock these and other maps, and there are large numbers of guidebooks with walking routes.

Potholing

Potholes are limited to the limestone White Peak and are concentrated around Castleton, Buxton, Matlock and Eyam. There are show caves in Castleton, Buxton and Matlock Bath; the more committed should make contact with the Derbyshire Caving Association [9]. Many caves are associated with old lead mines and are not for the inexperienced.

Buy

Brierlow Bar Bookstore, on the A515 south of Buxton, [10]. Stocks a good range of local-interest titles as well as a wide range of general-interest titles at bargain prices.

Jewellery made from Blue John (a purplish mineral unique to the Peak District) is available—at a price—in Castleton and elsewhere.

Eat

Several outlets in Bakewell serve the famous Bakewell Pudding (a dessert made with almonds and eggs).
Locally reared Derbyshire Lamb is often available in pubs and restaurants; locally shot Grouse is much harder to find. Farmers' markets are held near Hartington and in Buxton. The (relatively expensive) Chatsworth Farm Shop at Pilsley serves a range of local and organic produce, some of it sourced from the Estate.

Drink

Peak District pubs are varied but often interesting.

A visit to the Three Stags' Heads at Wardlow Mires on the A623 between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Baslow is an interesting experience. This small roadside pub has an old-fashioned and plain (even scruffy), but cosy, interior, with open fires, good food, lurcher- and greyhound-related memorabilia and some robust country attitudes (which may not be to everyone's taste). The proprietors make a point of not serving draught lager.

Sleep

Lodging

There are few hotels, though a few exist in larger towns; Peak District accommodation is largely in pubs and bed-and-breakfast establishments.

Camping

Stay safe

Peak District towns, villages, and footpaths are generally quiet and safe (or busy and safe on summer weekends). As with anywhere in England, towns and larger villages can get a little boisterous at pub closing time. Apart from during severe winter weather even the most remote areas of the Peak District are relatively safe, though those taking part in outdoor activities should be aware of the dangers and not exceed their abilities and experience. Cave and Mountain Rescue Teams can be contacted via the standard 999 emergency services number.

The exceptions to this are the peat plateaux which form the top of the highest peaks in the park, Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Black Hill. The old route to the Pennine Way used to cross the Kinder Scout plateau, and many hikers still prefer this route (via Grindsbrook Clough). After periods of heavy rains, the peat becomes completely waterlogged and turns into a dangerous bog, not unlike quicksand. Whilst there are no reports of hikers actually drowning in the bog, there have been fatalities caused by persons sinking to their chest and dying from exposure. The dangers are reduced significantly by following common sense: don't cross the plateaux alone in bad weather, take warm clothing (even in the middle of summer, the weather can change in an instant) and make sure you have a compass and know how to use it (when the mist descends, the peat moors can be very disorientating). Another good tip if you are planning to cross the Kinder plateau for the first time is to hike on a Saturday, as often there will be a string of other hikers to follow.

Get out

This is a region of contrasts, with wild moorland, classic walking country which encompasses every kind of activity, from a gentle stroll to the lofty challenge of the Peaks themselves. The leafy lanes and quiet villages are ideal for that feeling of getting away from it all. With towns such as Buxton, with its wonderful architecture and cultural life, along with picturesque Bakewell and the attractions of Matlock, you’ll be spoiled for choice with places to stay and things to see and do.

From cosy farmhouses and welcoming guest houses to international hotels, you’ll find all the hospitality and comfort you need for a really memorable break. There’s plenty to see, such as breathtaking caverns where the precious Blue John stone is mined, the night-time spectacle of the Matlock Illuminations and a trip back in time at the Crich Tramway Village.